News

Ted Carellas Class of 1977

8/2/2017

Gordon Hunter

Carellas was born in Savannah on August 14,1959. Ted enrolled at Calvary because his wise mother wanted to invest in an Christian education for her son and his sister Dana (‘83). In 1971, he walked onto the Calvary campus as a student for the first time.

It is safe to say that Ted was involved as a Cavalier. So involved in fact that the Carellas Rule was established. Mark Murphy tells the story that years after Carellas graduated, he was told he couldn’t run for Student Government President because a student could no longer hold the three positions of President of Student Council, Editor of the Newspaper, and Senior Class President. Listing all the extracurricular activities Carellas was plugged into here would have made this blog post seem more like a novel, so the complete list can be seen in the photos below.

As a Senior, the class of 1977 voted Ted “Most Likely to Succeed.” While attending Calvary, Mr. Carellas was named the top high school journalist in the State of Georgia by the University of Georgia School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

I had the chance to ask Ted about his favorite memories at Calvary Day School. Without hesitation, he told me about friendships he formed, academic challenges he faced, and spiritual growth he experienced. He also said that starting the school newspaper, The Purple and Gold, was a point of pride for him. “The reward of attending Calvary was being able to try new things,” Ted exclaimed. “The Calvary experience enabled me to use high school as an incubator. The small class size allowed for more growth.”

After graduation from Calvary, Ted was accepted into the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism. He graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1981 at which time he was accepted to UGA’s School of Law. After he served as Chief Justice of the Law School Honor Court, Carellas earned his Juris Doctor from the University in 1984. He was elected Phi Beta Kappa while on campus in Athens.

After graduation from Law School, Mr. Carellas was a shareholder with the Savannah-based law firm Hunter Maclean and was associated with the Atlanta-based law firm of Alston & Bird. His practice is broad-based with concentration in real estate, general business, general litigation, and personal injury matters. Mr. Carellas is also counsel for the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority.

The native of Savannah and member of the Georgia, Savannah, and Effingham Bar Associations, Ted has also held a number of leadership positions, including past President of the Parish Council of St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Church, Chairman of the Savannah Greek Festival, President of the Effingham County Exchange Club, and President of the Rincon-Springfield-Guyton Lions Club.

Current Ted is practicing law at Carrellas Law Firm. The Rincon, Georgia-based firm does an excellent job for its clients. I can speak from personal experience as the attorney and his staff did an outstanding job with our family’s home closing in Pooler. He told me “my team is made up of some great attorneys and paralegals who really shine on a daily basis.” Carellas continued, “I am blessed with a hardworking and talented group who enjoy what we do.” The Carrellas Law Firm was established in 1996 and has been serving customers in the Coastal Empire for twenty-one years. They specialize in a number of areas including Real Estate Law, Residential and Commercial Real Estate closings - Purchases & Refinances, Landlord-Tenant Law, Formation of LLCs/Corporations and Preparation of Wills.

In one of our conversations, Ted told me that Calvary really helped him by teaching him to master the ability to develop goals. While in school, Carellas was able to prepare for a successful professional career and incorporate faith to help establish a moral compass. He said “Calvary presented challenges which help me understand where to turn to in tough times later in life.” When I asked about who his biggest influence was at Calvary Day School, he told me Glenn Smith and Tommy Swinford. “Mr. Glenn Smith was a teacher and mentor, but more importantly, he was a friend,” Ted told me. “We still speak every now and then. Mr. Swinford challenged me to pursue a second degree before I ever graduated Calvary. If not for him, I may only have a degree in Journalism and who knows what I’d be doing.” He also said that “Rhonda Johnson and Jane Barnard were truly great teachers.”

His advice to our current high school students? “Study hard, work hard, and find a profession that you enjoy. If you are not doing something you enjoy, find something else.”

Success is defined as “the accomplishment of an aim or purpose.” Seemingly, Ted Carellas set goals and accomplishes them with hard work and determination. While at Calvary and ever since, Ted has been successful, and we are proud to call him a Calvary graduate.

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